A Lesson in Propriety is the first in Jen Turano’s new Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies series, and it’s a delightful blend of humor, heart, and a dash of mystery. While the opening moved a bit slowly, the story hits its stride once we arrive in Chicago and meet the swoon-worthy Rhenick Wittenbecker.
After a devastating financial scandal leaves Drusilla Merriweather and her family destitute—and jilted by her fiancé—she and her eccentric relatives take possession of a run-down Scottish castle inherited from Aunt Ottilie. Their bold plan? Open an academy for young ladies, teaching etiquette and propriety. But turning a haunted, crumbling estate into a respectable school is no small feat—especially with rumors of ghosts, lurking mobsters, and greedy land developers circling.
Enter Rhenick, a kind-hearted and honorable architect who quickly becomes their unexpected protector. Though Drusilla is fiercely independent and determined not to rely on any man again, Rhenick’s steady presence, heroic actions, and growing affection gradually break down her walls.
Turano creates a cast full of vibrant and memorable characters. Drusilla’s fierce resolve, Irma’s dramatic flair, nerdy Annaliese with her mischievous ferrets, and talented Seraphina each bring their own spark. I also adored Rhenick’s mom and sisters. The humorous chaos—raven attacks, ghostly mysteries, and unconventional animal companions—adds to the book’s charm.
Rhenick is a stand-out romantic hero, unwavering in his devotion, and his witty banter with Drusilla makes their relationship both sweet and satisfying. The light suspense surrounding the mafia subplot keeps the pace lively without overshadowing the romance.
With strong female leads, heartwarming romance, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, A Lesson in Propriety is a delightful historical rom-com. I’m already looking forward to the next book—hopefully Seraphina’s story!

Kissing
someone is trying to get them to leave the castle, shooting, kidnapping

This was REALLY a good book! It is the first in the Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies series. SO amusing. If I was reading I was smiling - well more like smirking.

The book draws heavily upon dialogue. That would normally have me turning pages to skip ahead. BUT, not with this book. I love the chatty and wit filled conversations between characters. Druscilla’s response to unexpected happenings was brilliantly done with a spirited and creatively confident flare. Our leading lady is indeed awsomely extraordinary.

Pacing of this story is fast paced. Their life circumstances rolled from one ‘incident’ to another. Some outcomes were predictable but most everything had clever twists.

Historical details of the Gilded Age added richness without detracting from the mystery and romance that I was easily invested in. I am certainly looking forward to more books from this author.

My thanks to NetGalley for making this ARC available.

A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano is the first entertaining tale in the Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies series. I always look forward to reading Jen Turano’s stories because I know there will be great characters and plenty of humor. I like that Drusilla Merriweather is resilient and independent. Drusilla is certainly extremely knowledgeable about the rules of social propriety (she knows the correct etiquette for every social occasion-what to say, do, and how to act—she is walking etiquette book). Rhenick Wittenbecker is a good match for Drusilla. Of course, the road to happily ever after is a bumpy one, especially with the unusual and hilarious happening at the estate. I enjoyed the banter between Rhenick and Drusilla (I chuckled frequently). The message of being loved for who you are (the unique individual that you are) is very prevalent. I sat down one evening and read A Lesson in Propriety from beginning to end. I closed the book with a happy heart and a smile on my face.

As the first book in new series by Jen Turano, it was wonderful. It introduced the reader to a cast of characters that we can't wait to see in future books. With several mysteries afoot, this novel take the reader on a journey of discovery with a dramatic climax for some characters. With still some unresolved questions, the next novel will not disappoint.

A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano was a wonderful jump into her new series. The first couple of chapters in a tea room really do not show any propriety in any way. I love the heroine, Druscilla. Right away, Turano shows her strength and allows the circumstance that is affecting her current life to make her a strong heroine. Readers will enjoy that another one of Turano's heroine does not really care what society or a man thinks. As a result of this, funny things happen to the heroine. Funny items like a herd of goats, a duck, and a bunch of ravens. I really love the setting in a castle alongside the Lake Michigan. When Turano has the heroine and her family and friend come to the castle, it really wrapped me in the mysterious element, and I couldn't wait to learn more about the setting and what is going on there. Of course, there is some romance to the plot with a neighboring man. While the heroine is a strong-willed woman, she comes to learn that not all men are horrible and allows her heart to open to the possibility of marriage. Overall, A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano is a rip-roaring fun of a novel in an abandoned castle. I honestly can't wait to continue this series and see how some of the unanswered questions are handled.

I received a complimentary copy of A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano through Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

About this book:

“With her father dead, her fortune stolen, and her fiancé casting her aside, Miss Drusilla Merriweather's privileged life has been upended. She is left with only one option: to provide for her family by opening a finishing school in the allegedly haunted castle she's inherited from her eccentric aunt. However, her plan is immediately threatened by unscrupulous developers keen on claiming the coveted estate for themselves, by any means necessary.
Mr. Rhenick Wittenbecker, a dashing architect with a tendency to charm his way out of trouble, is convinced he can protect Drusilla but is challenged by her fierce independence. Yet when strange occurrences--walking suits of armor and unexpected ghostly visitors--arise within castle grounds, Drusilla must decide whether to risk her family's safety and her school on the gallant architect who seems to have found his way into her heart.”


Series: Book #1 in the “Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies”.


Spiritual Content- A Scripture is mentioned; Church going & enjoying the service; Mentions of church, church going, services, a reverend, hymns, & a Sunday school class; Mentions of blessings; A few mentions of statues of angels and cherubs; A couple mentions of God; A couple mentions of people swearing on a Bible to keep a secret; A mention of a godsent opportunity;
*Note: Religious phrases/exclamations are said: ‘heaven forbid’ once, ‘for heaven’s sake’ twice, and ‘good heavens’ is said nine times; Many talks about & many mentions of ghosts and a haunted place (many people believe that Drusilla’s aunt’s house is haunted by her ghost; Mentions of the reasoning behind this being because of hearing strange noises in the night, furniture rearranged, and messages written onto mirrors); Drusilla does not believe in ghosts and is not bothered by this rumor, but her mother is convinced that the ghost of her aunt will haunt her the most because they never cared for each other; *Spoiler* People are behind the “ghost” sightings *End of Spoilers*); A mention of “ghosts” in the afterlife apparently not being affected by screams by living people.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: five forms of ‘idiot’; Eye rolling; Being shot at, Being held at gun-point, Aiming guns and weapons at others, Shooting someone (in self-defense), Being attacked by ravens, Injuries, Pain, & Blood/Bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of weapons, gunshots, shooting someone, & people being shot and aimed at with weapons (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a missing person & a couple possible murders and murderer; Mentions of deaths & grief; Mentions of an abduction/kidnapping; Mentions of criminals, members of the “criminal underworld” and crime bosses, crimes, & threats (including of harm and death through a potential drowning); Mentions of a man stealing Drusilla’s family’s money & embezzlement; Mentions of smuggling stolen goods and opium & smugglers; Mentions of arrests & jail/prisons; Mentions of fires; Mentions of fights/brawls, injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, drunks, & saloons/taverns; A few mentions of gambling; A couple mentions of eavesdropping; A mention of possibly corrupt police men;
*Note: Drusilla values how Rhenick respects and listen to her opinions and how he doesn’t think his opinion is superior only because of him being a man (unlike others she’s known); Drusilla also thinks about how Rhenick sees women as people and not as inferior beings that need to be spoken to as if “they were lacking in intelligence”; Mentions of insane asylums & some of the characters hoping a man is put into one (because of his delusions about a woman and unrequited love for her); Mentions of Drusilla’s sister, Annaliese, rescuing ferrets from a fur farm & being vocally against such things and women using real feathers in their hats; Mentions of dead rats & snakes brought as gifts form the ferrets to Drusilla and her family; A couple mentions of Drusilla’s father being disappointed when she was born because she was a girl & Drusilla striving to earn his praise; A couple mentions of books and authors (Jane Austen).


Sexual Content- Two hand kisses, an almost (semi-detailed) kiss, and two semi-detailed kisses; Wanting to kiss & Staring at lips (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Talks about kisses/kissing (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Butterflies, Nearness, Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to touch & embrace (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes & Winks; Noticing & Staring (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of a man who is in love with a married woman (he loved her prior to her marriage to another man and continued to love her after her marriage); Mentions of flirting; Mentions of crushes & young teen girls mooning over boys; A mention of a married man having many mistresses around the city; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Mentions of women’s figures (one man suggests that Drusilla has a plump figure and Rhenick comments on liking Drusilla’s natural figure); A few mentions of Drusilla’s mother never have claiming to be overly fond of her husband & the two of them avoiding each other when he was alive.

-Drusilla Merriweather, age 22
-Rhenick Whittenbecker, age 28
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1885
352 pages
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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars

Oh, that was just so fun! Jen Turano knows how to write such a great cast of characters who end up in the most amusing situations and this book was the epitome of it! Like always, I laughed at different parts and read this book overall too quickly because I was enjoying it so much!

I liked both Drusilla and Rhenick and thought they were absolutely adorable together. He instantly fell for her and while I usually don’t care for that, it was actually really cute to see him tongue-tied over her and so smitten. He was just a doll in general and I loved seeing his big family where he is the oldest of five and has four younger sisters and his protectiveness over them—and their influence on him. Solid male lead and just a great guy all around.

The faith content was very light and while I would have liked a bit more, what was there was natural for the plotline.

There was a slight mystery throughout the book and even a bit of suspense. It actually reminded me of other books by this author at times, but had unique elements that will make it stand-out—such as the opening of a boarding school/finishing school! I can’t wait for the rest of the series and learn about about Drusilla’s sister, Annaliese and her friend, Seraphina (really, all of the characters in this book had great names!)




*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this honest review.

Another installment in the hilarity that is the novels by Jen Turano. This is the first book in a new series, and I loved it! I loved the characters, especially the heroine - she is just great! I enjoyed watching her have to make her own way, when those famed rich Fortune 400 people turned up their noses at her and her family.
My favorite thing about her - well, Drusilla is always polite and mannerly, even when she wants to be anything but that! And it is this very trait that kept her going, and gave her hope of a future. And also her gumption. And making the best of hard situations, especially when she's left by her fiance.

And of course, then there's also that dashing but slightly unlike hero. He was too fun!

If you are a lover of fun and humor, be sure and read this one - Jen Turano has outdone herself!!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Jen Turano's latest book, A Lesson in Propriety, is a delightful historical romance with a touch of mystery. Drusilla Merriweather's story is a wild ride filled with humor, romance, and unexpected twists. With its charming characters, witty dialogue, and intriguing plot, this book is a must-read for fans of historical romance and cozy mysteries.

I received a copy from the publisher and Austenprose via NetGalley, but a positive review was not required.

This book was absolutely ridiculous. In the best way! I love Drusilla so much! I love the way she thinks and conducts herself. I thought it was funny how she is said to be so proper but yet still does things that are not at all proper. Her mother is terrified of all the supposed ghosts in the house Drusilla inherited. I loved her mom! And her sister! Rhenick, wants to protect Drusilla from potential harm so he proposes which he finds out was a mistake. He and Drusilla are at odds for a bit but I love their interactions. I loved watching their relationship develop. And the romance was cute. All of the main characters were such fun and humorous characters. If you love wit, banter, humor and a little mystery and romance you will love this story. I recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

I think voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

As always, this author’s humorous tension and witty dialogue were entertaining and enjoyable to read from start to finish!

Some of the things I enjoyed:
🩵Witty humor
🩵Starts with a fresh start
🩵Intelligent cast of women
🩵Chicago setting
🩵A disappearing aunt
🩵Inheriting a mysterious “haunted” castle
🩵Peculiar items moving in the castle
🩵A handsome hero who quickly expresses admiration for the heroine
🩵 A desirable property wanred by the wrong sort of Chicago folks (mobsters)
🩵A woman down on her luck and willing to face all the odds against her to open up a school for girls

I love that this book features strong willed and intelligent women, they were such a delight to read about their various and unique interests and the creative way they shaped the story. The romance was swoony and throughly delightful.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House for an advanced copy of this story, all opinions are my own.

What a backdrop! Exploring 1885 Chicago, including its underworld of mobsters and other undesirables was fascinating! I truly enjoyed the castle with all of its inhabitants, allure, and mystery. What I enjoyed less was the somewhat wearisome banter, and found it was just too much monologue for my taste. When Rhennick and Drusilla really started to get to know one another, their match was charming and so funny at times. I loved the introduction to the side characters, and feel like with less exposition and more story, I’ll fall undeniably head over heels with the Academy, and hope we fully solve all the mysteries it has to offer. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

I always look forward to Jen Turano’s books! Her charming historical romances always pull me in & leave me with a huge grin on my face. Filled with humor, romance, & mystery, A Lesson in Propriety had me laughing, smiling, & actively trying to piece together all the clues in this delightfully romantic mystery.

Set mainly in Chicago during the Gilded Age, Drusilla Merriweather’s fiancé jilts her when he finds out her father’s fortune has been stolen. With no where left to turn, Drusilla & her family visit the castle she’s inherited from her unconventional aunt. When they arrive, they realize they’ll have their work cut out for them in trying to renovate the old, supposedly haunted castle to turn it in to a girl’s finishing school. The property though is a hot commodity on the lakefront, & endless developers & shady characters are out to try to get their hands on it. With the help of a hunky architect, some ferrets, & a herd of goats, can Drusilla keep the interlopers from getting their hands on the castle?

This story was so much fun! It’s part romance, part cozy mystery with hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud. Whether it’s wandering suits of armor, ghostly apparitions, or three lovable ferrets, the funny situations Drusilla & Rhenick find themselves in provides endless entertainment. I loved the sparks between the spunky Drusilla & all around good guy Rhenick. They’re a great team & I enjoyed seeing them navigate secret passageways, decipher clues, & get into sticky situations together.

The mystery really kept me guessing. Whether it’s the mob or ghosts, Drusilla, Rhenick, & her family find themselves constantly the target of those determined to scare them off the property. While I had my suspicions, the final suspect was a bit of a surprise. Amidst all the madcap situations, I enjoyed trying to figure out the clues.

Loved this fabulous start to the new Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies series! Can’t wait to read the next book. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily. 4.5-5 stars!

What a delight this story was to read! I laughed, giggled, and smiled my way through its pages. Jen Turano never disappoints if you’re looking for a book to make you smile!

After losing her fortune and her good-for-nothing fiancé, New York heiress Drusilla Merriweather finds herself with one remaining option- to open an academy for young ladies in a castle in Chicago. But on arrival she finds it’s filled with goats, ravens, and… ghosts? The last thing she wants is her new neighbor to propose on the spot!

Amidst the animal antics (attack ferrets, anyone?), mysterious happenings (walking armor!?), a castle full of hidden passages and secrets, and the threats from Chicago’s underworld (and maybe even closer to home), Drusilla starts to wonder if maybe she judged the handsome man with four sisters and unending patience a little too quickly!

This romance is hilarious and unexpected and sweet. Full of misadventures and mystery, I kept turning the pages to find out what would happen next. The entire cast of characters is so interesting! I’m so excited about the books in the rest of the series and I’m lamenting the coming wait!

I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not asked to leave a positive review and my opinions are my own.

I enjoy Jen Turano's books and quirky humour but for some reason, I can't get myself Into this book. I am temporarily dnf-ing until I feel the need for humourous banter and a lighthearted storyline.

*Rating only for Netgalley as I normally do not rate books I don't finish.

This is another hit by Ms. Turano! I love starting a new series by her because she’s always full of surprises in the plot, the unique and peculiar funny-lovable characters, and her books ALWAYS make me smile, laugh out loud and swoon at the same time!
This book was no exception!
This time, the series centers around Drusilla Merriweather, her mother, her sister, and a best friend. After Drusilla’s fiancée rejects her after discovering her family is now penniless due to a terrible fraud after Lord Merriweather’s passing, the family has no option but to take possession of the castle the sisters have inherited from eccentric Aunt Ottilie and turn it into an Academy for Young Girls that will teach them all the rules of etiquette and propriety, something they excel at. But to raise up to the challenge will take an enormous amount of courage and determination -qualities Drusilla definitely doesn’t lack- because, not only is the castle rumored to be haunted, but is also the target of unscrupulous land developers and mobsters that will stop at nothing to get their hands on the coveted estate.
Meanwhile, as architect and neighbor Rhenick Wittenbecker discovers the Merriweather women’s arrival to a desolate and dangerously persecuted estate, he’s convinced to be the man to protect them, even at the cost -maybe not so much- of offering marriage to Drusilla, but the fierce independent lady will not have it. To trust their future again to a man who is most probably deceiving and only interested in gaining access to the land sounds ridiculous. But as things get strangely complicated and ghost and mummies seem to be haunting the castle, Drusilla must accept that Rhenick constant coming to the rescue may be disinterested and a reflection of the true and honorable gentleman he claims to be. A gentleman that is worming his way into her heart as well.
What a delightful read! I truly enjoyed it from the start and fell in love with the characters and their peculiarities. Passionate and strongminded Drusilla: I loved her fierce determination to pursue the idea that would provide for her family and assure their independence from men. Her boldness brought her many troubles that made me laugh out loud, like the raven’s attack and all the animals and creatures that made the castle of their living space. Nerdy Annaliese and her love of animal specimens made me laugh and giggle. Her cute ferrets made the story even funnier and entertaining as they endearingly brought Irma -Mrs. Merriweather- their catches as if they were trophies or presents. Irma couldn’t be more hilarious with her tendency to drama and exaggeration. Seraphina’s no-nonsense made me smile too, and I hope she’ll get her own story too, as well as Annaliese.
Rhenick, well, he was a swooning kindhearted hero. I loved he’s honorable and very patient with Drusilla, and that he doesn’t give up after her first absolute rejection. His relationship with Drusilla is full of wit and charm, the banter, the funny dialogues. And the romance is sooo sweet. I love how he’s smitten from the beginning, and how he brings down Drusilla’s walls with his heroic and disinterested actions.
There are many unexpected twists and turns, and I absolutely loved the ending!
There’s intrigue and villains that make the story even more engaging. All in all, a delightfully funny and adorable Historical Romantic Comedy I had a hard time to put down! Can’t wait for book 2 to come out! Hopefully, Annaliese’s story.
I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers vía NetGalley but was not required to write a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

“You’re breaking our engagement?”
“I think it would be better if you’d do the breaking.”
“Better for whom?”

And with that, Miss Drusilla Merriweather’s story takes off—in the most wildly entertaining, completely outrageous, and utterly delightful way.

A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano is exactly what I needed. No one writes eccentric characters, comedic chaos, and swoony clean romance quite like she does. I laughed out loud (multiple times), swooned for a gallant and good-hearted architect, and flew through every single page.

Drusilla is strong, stubborn, and fiercely independent—and the MMC, Mr. Wittenbecker, is absolutely put through the wringer when it comes to her antics (and her haunted castle😅). But you know it’s true love when he doesn’t even flinch at ghostly visitors, trickery, or being caught in the middle of Chicago’s underworld.

There’s crime bosses. There’s kidnapping. There’s finishing school shenanigans. There are weapons being used by people who probably shouldn’t be using them. And somehow—it all works brilliantly.

This is the start of a new series and I already NEED books for two of the side characters. (Cannot wait!)

If you need a read to lift your mood and make you laugh while delivering a charming slow-burn romance, this is it!

A Lesson in Propriety is available now!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Content/Trigger: broken engagement, mild peril/action/violence, kidnapping, hilariously outrageous situations, romance—kisses only.

I love Jen Turano's books. She finds a way to make fresh quirky characters, ridiculous situations (like going into your new home and finding a row of knight's armor and a cannon facing you), and lots of mayhem and mischief come alive.

The opening scene with Drusilla and Elbert had me shaking my head. I couldn't believe Elbert's audacity. The Gilded Age had some unique rules or traditions but I love reading about it all the same.

This book was a great start to a new series. It's easy to see what direction it's going to take and it promises for a lot of amazing fun and craziness. I can't wait to read more about the patrons Drusilla will be working with. I also like how animals often play a big role in Turano's books. The ferrets were incredible as well as the goats and goose. They made me laugh. This book was a delight.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

As always, a laugh out loud romp from Jen Turano! I love how her books are all set in the same period - it feels like the characters could all be friends, and so I tend to read her books as one continuous story. I love that they fit so well!

I love clever heroines, and the first scene of this book established the heroine as intelligent and witty. I found myself immersed immediately in the story as I waited to find out what would happen next.
While there is a lot of Jen’s trademark humor, this book also came close to being a light cozy mystery. The mystery aspect was a secondary plotline, but figuring out whodunit was fun.
The hero and the heroine were both likeable. Rhenick was a man who just wanted to help and protect Drusilla. Drusilla was a heroine who had trouble trusting after her disastrous broken engagement. Their romance grew in a very natural way.
The secondary characters were also interesting. There were some hints about whose stories will be told next and what mysteries those stories might include. A herd of goat guardians, attacking ferrets, and bats are only a few of the animals who add to the chaos and humor.
The spiritual theme was what man has meant for evil God has meant for good.
I highly recommend this fun start to a new series. I can’t wait to read the next books!
I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Jen Turano is one of the authors that I turn to when I want to read something light-hearted that isn’t all fluff. She never disappoints. Drusilla, her family, her friends and Rhenick were all delightfully quirky characters. I loved the way they developed and the way the story navigated through their preconceived notions and turned them upside down. In overcoming challenges, developing relationships and holding on to faith the cast of the book took me on a journey of hope while keeping me chuckling page after page. A Lesson in Propriety was absolutely delightful.